Boise State’s summer media day brought the usual mix of football talk and lighter fare, with coaches and 10 players fielding questions on everything from position battles to childhood TV favorites. But amid all that chatter, one offseason name kept surfacing over and over.
It wasn’t a flashy skill player. It was Tyler Ethridge, a 308-pound senior offensive lineman from Midlothian, Texas, who is preparing for his first season at Boise State after transferring from Division II Colorado State Pueblo.
Offensive coordinator Nate Potter didn’t hesitate when asked who could have a big year in 2026.
“Tyler Ethridge, offensive lineman, which is not a normal answer to that question because it’s not a skill position. I think he has a chance to be a huge impact on this team and be one of the best tackles we’ve ever had here,” Potter said.
Ethridge, listed at 6-foot-3, has spent his entire college career at the Division II level, which helps explain why he arrived with far less attention than some of Boise State’s other portal additions, including former Notre Dame safety Taebron Bennie-Powell and former Pitt running back Juelz Goff. With the transfer portal closed in January, his name slipped under the radar.
He also wasn’t available to speak at Wednesday’s media day, but the praise around him was impossible to miss.
“He does some things athletically that I haven’t seen since Ryan Clady,” Potter said, pointing to the former Boise State tackle who helped seal the edge for Ian Johnson on the famous Statue of Liberty 2-point conversion in the 2007 Fiesta Bowl.
That’s lofty company. Clady was the No. 12 pick in the 2008 NFL Draft and later became a four-time Pro Bowler.
Head coach Spencer Danielson went just as big in his assessment.
“Tyler Ethridge is one of the best football players on our entire team,” Danielson said. “He brings a mentality; he brings a violence. He’s extremely athletic, very strong, loves football, loves this team.”
The people lining up next to him are noticing the same thing. Redshirt sophomore Sire Gaines, who will be running behind Ethridge, said the lineman’s movement stands out immediately.
“I ain’t never seen an O-lineman move like that in my life. He plays with so much violence...
You’ve gotta see him run, he’s just so athletic,” Gaines said. “Having somebody like that just brings confidence.
That’s somebody I’m running behind, and I’m glad he’s on my team.”
Ethridge’s speed and athleticism came up again and again on Wednesday. Redshirt senior quarterback Maddux Madsen called his movement “so sudden.” Senior defensive end Max Stege said Ethridge is a “pain” to face because of his explosiveness and his “heavy hands,” meaning once he gets ahold of you, you’re not getting away.
Redshirt senior right guard Roger Carreon may have the clearest view of what Ethridge can mean for the Broncos. Ethridge is expected to play either left tackle or left guard in 2026, and Carreon said having that side of the line locked down gives him real confidence.
“Knowing that our left tackle is an absolute stud, he’s not going to give up a sack, and he’s just a baller, it makes me feel good,” Carreon said.
“I think he does have a shot to play at the next level.”
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